Building Briefs – November 9th

• Shieldhall Tunnel wins another award

The tunnel, which was completed and formally opened this summer, has won a key award from the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), which represents thousands members and organisations worldwide who are dedicated to improving water and environmental management.

It was awarded the CIWEM Urban Drainage Group’s WaPUG Prize, which was named after its predecessor organisation the Wastewater Planning Users Group founded to support the UK urban drainage management community.

The WaPUG Prize was presented to Dawn Lochhead, Scottish Water’s flooding manager, at the CIWEM annual conference in Blackpool on Wednesday.

In October, the Shieldhall Tunnel won the much-prized Infrastructure Award at this year’s Saltire Infrastructure Awards, which recognise excellence and innovation in civil engineering and celebrate its contribution to our quality of life.

The tunnel was also shortlisted among finalists from around the world in the Institution of Civil Engineers’ People’s Choice Awards.

• Dunoon Primary is officially handed over

The official handing over of Dunoon’s newly refurbished primary school took place yesterday.

Extensive work has been carried out to the school as part of a £10.5 million investment by Argyll and Bute Council to transform it into a school fit for the 21st Century, whilst maintaining its listed building status.

Pupils can now look forward to moving into the refurbished west wing of the building on November 14.

The next phase will see the demolition of the east wing and formation of a new part. When this is complete the new-look primary will provide capacity for up to 300 pupils and 30 early learning and childcare places.

It will also house a new family centre, gym hall, library, early learning and childcare centre, and staff accommodation. A link will be made to connect the refurbished west wing to the new east wing, with a feature staircase.

hub North Scotland chief executive, Michael Padzinski, said: “We are delighted to successfully reach this important milestone in the work to create an excellent facility for teaching and learning. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Argyll and Bute Council to achieve the next phase of this exciting project.”

• Aberdeenshire civil engineering firm cultivates expansion into agriculture

Ellon-based JKR Contractors is diversifying into farming and property thanks to a seven-figure funding package from Royal Bank of Scotland.

The family-run civil engineering firm has purchased a 480-acre farm and eight residential properties to expand the business, adding to the small arable farming and property enterprise the company already operates.

The company, which was founded in 2007 by father and sons Jim, Kevin and Ryan Taylor, employs over 90 people and provides civil engineering and concrete works services to a range of businesses, including commercial, domestic and agricultural.

• Halloween fundraising at Clark Contracts

Clark Contracts held a Halloween Fancy Dress Day and Bake Off last week across its East and West offices.

Staff dressed up in their best costumes and baked some gruesome cakes in a bid to win ‘Best Dressed’ and ‘Star Baker’ whilst raising money for nominated company charity, Teenage Cancer Trust.

Some of the costumes included Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Smurfs, The Honey Monster and Superman, with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs scooping the prize for ‘Best Dressed’, whilst it was a tie in the bake-off with a spooky spiders web Victoria Sponge and a brain themed Red Velvet cake taking joint 1st place.

An employee from each department and division took on the ‘Marshmallow Challenge’, competing to see who could fit the most marshmallows in their mouth in 30 seconds.

A raffle was also held with prizes including an overnight stay for two at the Raddison Blu Hotel in Glasgow, a gift voucher for Slaters and a Gin tour at Pickering’s Summerhall Distillery.

Following a contribution by the company, a total of £2,000 was raised for Teenage Cancer Trust. So far this year, Clark Contracts have also raised funds through a Pyjama Day and participation in events including Pedal for Scotland, Rough Runner, the Great Scottish Run and the Inverclyde Team Triathlon.

• Stirling’s young people inspired by careers in construction at pioneering event

Deputy First Minister and secretary for education and skills, John Swinney, saw how Stirling’s young people are developing key skills for careers in the construction industry at a pioneering event at St Modan’s High.

As part of the school’s ‘Build Your Future Week’, pupils took part in a variety of activities and workshops to help equip them for the wide range of opportunities available within the growing Scottish construction sector.

The event also deconstructed the myths of the industry, which supports roles such as lawyers, accountants, designers, ecologists and software designers. 

Construction Scotland, CITB, Contract Scotland, Historic and Environment Scotland, Developing the Young Work Force Forth Valley, along with a number of local contractors and construction based businesses took part.

The innovative event falls within the Scottish Government’s Developing the Young Workforce agenda - a seven-year programme (2014-2021) which aims to better equip children and young people for the world of work.

• AJ Engineering wins SME of the Year at Chamber Awards

AJ Engineering has scooped the award for SME of the Year at a regional business awards event.

The engineering and construction was given the honour at the Moray Chamber of Commerce Awards.

The company, which will be celebrating its 20th year in business next year, was recognised for its continued commitment to employing apprentices and its great turnover, which has increased year on year for at least the last three years.

Attending the event on behalf of the company was general manager Graham Alexander and business development representative Lee Binks.

Last month, AJ Engineering joined forces with Forres-based form Rennie Fabrication to create an engineering powerhouse giving the company scope to take on more varied work in a wider range of sectors.